Vanuatu
The Education Program in Vanuatu is a development project that aims to improve the educational opportunities for disadvantaged children living on Efate and Tanna Islands in Vanuatu.
The number of educational facilities and trained educators in Vanuatu is desperately low. The project has around 600 children attending the education program, across 6 schools.
Capacity building is a significant focus of the project, through the provision of teaching and training of the 50 local staff members. The programs unique ‘home schooling’ curriculum enables educated local adults to teach within their native language group, strengthening local community participation and engagement in the project. The project’s end goal is to develop these identified local staff into becoming capable managers and leaders so that full local ownership of the program can be taken, without the need of external oversight.
Community education programs are also run, providing training programs on basic health and hygiene, nutrition, the advantages of education, computing skills, and literacy advancement. These programs are designed to address social issues that are prevalent amongst the beneficiary communities.
The Community Development Vanuatu project aims to address the specific issue of education for children and youth regardless of gender and background so they have a self-sustainable future with appropriate living standards.
Located on land donated by the Chiefs at Sunrise Village, Efate, a Community Hall and school ‘Survival School at Freshwater 5’ has been developed for the Seaside Community to provide quality education for children.
In addition and importantly, a Youth Development Centre offering training in areas of manual arts, textiles, literacy, hospitality and agriculture, skills provides an opportunity for young people to gain skills that will create an avenue for employment and increase their motivation and thereby reduce poverty and crime.
Through these educational and vocational activities the project will equip men and women with skills and knowledge that will increase productive activity, empowering them to gain employment and improve their quality of life.
